IU continues its online lecture series on the future of sustainable building
Free lecture series starts on 16 January
The free lecture series starts on January 16, 2026.
Erfurt, 9 January 2026. Following its successful launch last summer, IU International University of Applied Sciences is continuing its public online lecture series "digital discourse - aspects of sustainability." The series, comprising 14 lectures, provides a platform for exchange, networking, and critical reflection. It is aimed at students, professionals, and anyone interested in the future of construction. Organized by professors from the IU's Department of Architecture, the series begins on January 16, 2026. Experts from academia and practice will come together to explore diverse, sometimes conflicting, perspectives on sustainable building – from experimental research to the built environment.
The transformation of the construction industry requires a radical rethink
The construction sector worldwide is facing profound change: resource scarcity, climate change, and societal shifts demand a radical rethinking of planning, material selection, and construction processes. What role do experimental approaches, real-world laboratories, or circular value chains play in this transformation of the construction industry? How can ecological, economic, and social aspects be integrated in practice? How can research findings be successfully transferred into built reality? And how does this change aesthetics and architectural culture?
The invited speakers will present inspiring projects, introduce the latest research findings and discuss approaches – from the development of circular materials to digital planning processes and built examples of sustainable architecture.
Dates & Topics
(all lectures are held in German)
January 16, 2026, 2:00 PM
Systemic transformation for the construction revolution
Martin Bittmann & Julia Dorn (BuildSystems, Munich)
January 16, 2026, 4:00 PM
The mobility transition begins in the neighborhood.
Sophie Stigliano (Urban Standards, Munich)
January 20, 2026, 12:00 PM
Empathy and Transformation / Over Time
Serafina Eipert (eipert winter Architects) & Elena Masla (etal. Architects, Munich)
January 20, 2026, 2:00 PM
Typological structures as a conscious renunciation
Daniel Penzis & Giulio Bettini (PENZISBETTINI. Architects, Zurich)
January 22, 2026, 2:00 PM
We Connect – Nikken Wood Lab
Takuya Oba (Nikken Sekkei LTD, Nikken Wood Lab, Tokyo)
January 26, 2026, 10:00 AM
Greenhouse gas emissions in structural design – planning approaches from Switzerland
Fabio Pesavento (ZPF engineers, Basel/Zurich)
January 27, 2026, 10:00 AM
Thinking in motion
Andrea Wiegelmann (Publishing Director, Triest Verlag, HTA Freiburg, Switzerland)
January 27, 2026, 12:00 PM
How much is enough? On the house without heating and other projects made of wood in the context of sufficiency and sustainability.
Jan Bohnert & Christian Neuburger (*neuburger, bohnert und müller Architekten, Munich)
January 30, 2026, 10:00 AM
Never waste a good resource
Kim le Roux (LXSY Architecture, Berlin)
January 30, 2026, 2:00 PM
Yesterday. Status quo. What's next?
Prof. Matthias Rudolph (Transsolar, ABK Stuttgart)
February 3, 2026, 10:00 AM
Planning practice: Comfort, energy, resources
Prof. Michael Wengert (MW Energiebuero, Biberach University of Applied Sciences)
February 3, 2026, 12:00 PM
Island Ecologies
Prof. Susanne Brorson (Susanne Brorson Studio, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna)
February 10, 2026, 10:00 AM
Designing daylight and artificial light for people and the environment
Robert Müller (Kardorff Engineers, Innsbruck)
February 10, 2026, 12:00 PM
cabin magic
Prof. Tobias Maisch (FRIDA Architects, Dresden) & Prof. Michael Weichler (NEW Architects, Cologne)
Participation & Access
The lectures will take place online via Zoom.
Participation is free and open to everyone.
Zoom link for participation: https://tinyurl.com/32JSD6B5
The series is organised by the following IU professors from the Department of Architecture:
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. m.arch Ulrike Wietzorrek
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Thorsten Klooster
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Bettina-Maria Müller
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Stefan Rappold
Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Manuel Du
Contact for questions about the lecture series
Ulrike Wietzorrek
ulrike.wietzorrek@iu.org
With nearly 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution, based in Erfurt, began teaching in 2000 and now has 37 campuses. IU stands for maximum flexibility in study: whether through dual study, distance learning or on campus – students from over 160 nations tailor their educational path to suit their individual circumstances. With more than 200 degree programmes at bachelor’s, master’s and MBA level, IU imparts practical skills. Innovative learning concepts foster targeted, future-proof skills for an increasingly AI-driven world of work. A modern, digitally supported learning environment and the use of artificial intelligence enable effective, personalised learning. As a pioneer in this field, IU has developed its own digital learning companion, ‘Syntea’, which has been in use since 2023. A network of over 15,000 companies – including Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn – makes IU a strong partner in the training of skilled workers and consistently links academic teaching with practical experience. Further information at: iu.org
Contact
|
IU International University of Applied Sciences Press Department |